Sport Operations Manager

About this role

Date posted

28/09/2026

Application closing date: Midnight

12/10/2026

Package

Please refer to candidate pack

Job category/type

Professional/Managerial

Sport Operations Manager

Job description

Beckett Sport is looking for a Sport Operations Manager to cover a period of maternity leave. You'll lead the day-to-day running of our sport facilities, keeping them safe, well-maintained and welcoming, while managing the budgets, people and standards that sit behind a great student and customer experience.

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for up to 12 months (maternity cover). We are keen for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible, and no later than 28 October 2026, to allow for a thorough handover.

In this role you will

• Lead the day-to-day operation, maintenance and compliance of all Beckett Sport facilities and equipment, delivering a safe, high-quality environment for every user.
• Manage operational budgets and resources, meeting income and expenditure targets and ensuring strong financial controls and value for money.
• Take the lead on Health & Safety across the service, and line manage, motivate and develop a team of four Sport Centre Supervisors.
• Champion a strong customer service culture, working closely with the Sport Manager to maximise facility usage and community participation.

We're looking for someone who can bring

• A degree or equivalent management experience in a complex environment, with a track record of managing a diverse range of facilities.
• Proven success in managing budgets and delivering projects to time and cost.
• Strong working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, an IOSH Managing Safely Certificate, and a National Pool Plant Operators Certificate (or the ability to achieve this within three months of appointment).
• Advanced IT skills and experience of managing front-of-house / management information systems covering bookings, memberships and usage.

Beckett Sport sits within Estates & Facilities and delivers sport and physical activity for our students, colleagues and the wider community.

It's a fast-paced, people-focused environment where no two days are the same, and where your leadership will directly shape the experience of thousands of users.

The role is based at Headingley with occasional travel to our city campus required. The role is fully campus based, a vibrant community of both students and colleagues.

To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please contact Mark Dunstan at m.dunstan@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Working here means you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits including our generous pension schemes, excellent holiday entitlements, flexible working, reduced study fees, access to fitness facilities and a lot more.

We welcome applications from all individuals and particularly from black and minority ethnic candidates as members of these groups are currently under-represented at this level of post. All appointments will be based on merit.

Leeds Beckett University is a Disability Confident Employer. Disabled candidates who demonstrate all essential criteria within the Person Specification will be invited to an interview.